wfn.org | TCN: Taiwan’s oldest undergrad graduates from Chang Jung Christian University

["Lydia Ma" <enews@pctpress.org>]

>      Taiwan Church News

>2989 Edition

>June 8~14, 2009

Taiwan’s oldest undergrad graduates from Chang Jung Christian  University

>Reported by Lin Yi-ying, Chen Yi-hsuan

>Written by Lydia Ma

Chang Jung Christian University held its annual graduation  ceremony on the first week of

June. Among this year’s graduates was 84-year-old Shen  Jian-yi who successfully

completed his bachelor’s degree in visual arts and celebrated  the day with much younger

fellow classmates born in the 1980s. Shen is now the oldest  Taiwanese to obtain a

>bachelor’s degree.

When University President Chen Chin-seng awarded Shen his diploma,  Shen, a Christian,

held up his hands and exclaimed, “Thank the Lord!” The  university also gave Shen’s wife a

certificate of encouragement with the acronym “P.H.D”  written in bold, which stands for

“Push Husband to get Degree”. Shen’s wife was  credited for encouraging her husband to

>obtain a degree.

The highlight of the graduation ceremony was a feet-washing  ceremony – an old tradition at

Chang Jung during commencement. During this ceremony, a professor  washes the feet of a

student to teach an object lesson on the importance of humility  and service once they

graduate. Taiwan’s oldest undergrad Shen Jian-yi was selected  to represent students at

this ceremony and University President Chen Chin-seng washed  Shen’s feet.

The whole auditorium erupted with cheers and applause at the  conclusion of the ceremony

and Shen’s pride and excitement were apparent. University  officials also gave Shen an

award for full attendance in the past four years.

As Shen received his award, he blew kisses to his wife,  professors, and fellow classmates

to thank them for taking this journey with him. He also presented  his alma mater with an

embossed painting he had painted and a donation worth $100,000 NTD  to be used as a

>scholarship.

Shen has worked as military officer, police officer, and Tainan  city government’s news

department section manager. He escaped from China as a student  when he was 10 years

old and never had an opportunity to receive formal education in  fine arts even though he loved to draw.

He began taking watercolor lessons with Chang Jung University  Department of Visual Arts

Professor Tsai Mau-sung four years ago and heard from Tsai that  the university was

recruiting students for its undergraduate degree. Shen applied  immediately and was later

>accepted.

To help Shen transport equipment needed for each class, his family  bought a new van and

his wife became his chauffeur. To keep him company, his wife also  audited many classes

these past four years. According to Mrs. Shen, professors and  students at the university

were very supportive and helpful as she audited courses alongside  her husband. Shen

hopes to pursue a Master’s degree in visual arts next year if  possible.

In related news, Aletheia University also held graduation  ceremonies on both Tamsui and

Matou campuses on June 6~7. University President Wu Ming-da  encouraged graduates to

remain strong, humble, and courageous when facing the current job  market. He also

reminded them to adopt a positive and diligent attitude throughout  their lives and to love

themselves, their school, and their country with all their hearts.  He shared with them the key

to building a happy and fulfilling life were found in three  H’s, that is, to be humble, humane,

>and humorous.

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